The Six Things You Need For An Amazing Home Gym.
Getting started in combat sports doesn’t have to mean expensive gym memberships. Setting up a home boxing gym can save you money in the long run and give you the convenience to train anytime. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to build a functional boxing gym at home without breaking the bank.
1. Choose the Right Space
The first step is finding the ideal spot in your home. A garage, basement, or even a spare room can work well if you have the space and structure quality to mount things on the ceilings and walls, my house doesn’t offer that as the ceilings are drywall, I would recommend checking this before you get a nasty surprise. Make sure the area has enough space for movement and can handle any equipment you’ll install.
Pro Tips: Opt for a space with a high ceiling if you’re using a heavy bag. Use mats or foam tiles to protect your flooring and reduce impact noise.
2. Essential Equipment for a Home Boxing Gym
Here’s a list of must-haves for any boxing setup according to me:
a) Heavy Bag
A heavy bag is the centrepiece of most fighting gyms. It helps you develop power, technique, and endurance, allowing you to practice round timing and conditioning with an interval timer too. Ideally, this bag would be filled with old clothes trimmings, maybe some sand if you want to really heavy, but ensure the trimmings are compact and dense for a hard feel on the outside of the bag. I personally like a really heavy bag as it allows you to go as hard as possible if needed, but a lighter bag is also good to practice timing as it swings into and out of your range again.
Buy your brand new heavy bag here: [https://rdxsports.co.uk/collections/boxing-training-punch-bags/products/f6-kara-training-punching-bag?ref=Fightcentral24]
b) Boxing Gloves
Invest in a pair of quality gloves that fit well and offer good wrist support. Proper gloves not only enhance your performance but also protect your hands from damage like soft tissue damage (trust me you don’t want that)
Tip: Beginners usually start with 14–16 oz gloves for training, as seen in our beginner guides section, visit there to learn how to start your training journey.
Get yourself a pair of boxing gloves here: [https://rdxsports.com/products/f15-noir-black-boxing-gloves?ref=Fightcentral24]
c) Hand Wraps
Hand wraps are essential for protecting your knuckles and wrists during training. They’re inexpensive but vital for safety, keeping your bones and joints locked in place, dislocations and hyperextensions are not fun, help yourself prevent them with a good pair of hand wraps.
Top-rated hand wraps are available to buy here: [https://amzn.to/3VQ96Sz]
d) Floor Mats
If you’re practicing footwork or shadowboxing, foam or rubber mats provide cushioning and grip. They also help prevent injuries from slipping and you’d rather be doing BJJ on a real mat instead of concrete or hardwood floors, consider investing in a good set of floor panels to fully deck out your home gym.
e) Skipping Rope
A skipping rope is an affordable and effective tool for improving cardio, footwork, and coordination. Look for a durable rope that suits your height, or adjustable ropes such as the one linked below are also good options. A skipping rope is a very good tool for warming up and practicing rhythm exercises. A boxer’s staple.
[https://rdxsports.com/products/rdx-skipping-jumping-adjustable-rope?ref=Fightcentral24]
3. Optional Add-Ons for Advanced Training
If you want to take your home gym to the next level, consider these extras, you’ll have a gym worth admiring:
• Speed Bag: Improves timing and hand-eye coordination as well as cardio, good for flowy timing practice.
• Double-End Bag: Enhances reflexes and accuracy, also fun to mess around with. Famous boxers and fighters often use this.
• Weights or Resistance Bands: Helps build strength and endurance.
[https://rdxsports.com/products/resistance-loop-bands-set?ref=Fightcentral24]
4. Budget-Friendly Tips
Secondhand Gear: Check online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for used boxing equipment in good condition.
DIY Solutions: You can build a simple punching bag stand or mount using affordable materials, like scrap wood or metal lying around if you know what you’re doing
Starter Kits: Some brands offer beginner boxing kits that bundle gloves, wraps, and a bag at a discount. These brands will offer lower prices as you’re buying in bulk, like a whole kit for your gym.
5. Setting It All Up
Mounting Your Bag: If using a heavy bag, ensure it’s securely mounted to avoid accidents. You can use a wall bracket or a free-standing heavy bag stand if drilling isn’t an option, some kits I’ve included links to contain a chain and hook to mount the bag onto as well.
Safety First: Always warm up before training and use proper technique to prevent injuries. See our “Ideal training session” article for more on this.
7. Final Thoughts
A home boxing gym is a great investment in your fitness and skill development. With the right gear and a bit of creativity, you can create a space that meets your training needs without spending a fortune, or you can splurge on high-end equipment and treat yourself, I’m not one to judge.
Last of all, a special treat for those who read this whole article, next time you shop at RDX, use the code CENTRAL10 for 10% off your purchase, until next time.